#Japan #Tokyo #B Corporation #Kyoto University #Diversity & Inclusion

The Path Forward: DE&I Forum 2025 by Kyoto University

On June 13, 2025, Kyoto University will host a symposium in Tokyo, marking the launch of its first forum on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I). This event is organized by the Kyoto University Communication Design and DE&I Consortium, with the goal of fostering a collaborative environment to advance DE&I principles into actionable practices. In the face of ongoing challenges, various member organizations will convene to explore how to transform knowledge generated from practical experiences into societal change.

Event Overview

Event Name: Tokyo Forum 2025 by Kyoto University Communication Design and DE&I Consortium
Date and Time: November 27, 2025, from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Location: Ritsumeikan Tokyo Campus, Classroom 4,5 (directly accessible from JR Tokyo Station, Nihonbashi exit)

The event will be split into two sections:
1. A keynote talk and crossover meeting featuring leading experts in the field.
2. A poster session and dialogue meeting, providing space for various insights and knowledge to collide.

Session Details

First Session (1:00 PM - 2:00 PM): Keynote and Crossover Meeting
The forum will begin with a keynote speech by Mr. Nozomu Torii, co-representative of B Market Builder Japan and CEO of Value Books Co., Ltd. He will share insights on fostering an organizational culture that leaves no one behind, as seen through the lens of the global certification scheme, B Corporation™. This will be followed by a crossover meeting where representatives from member organizations, including Mr. Nobuya Sugiura, Vice President of Sugi Holdings, will come together for a spirited discussion. They will address DE&I promotion and real-world challenges, engaging the audience to form a collective understanding of these vital issues through dynamic dialogue.

Second Session (2:15 PM - 5:00 PM): Poster Session & Discussion
The latter part of the event will showcase various initiatives undertaken by member organizations, including Sugi Pharmacy, Sumitomo Rubber Industries, and SK Minerals, presented in poster format. This session aims to visualize practices from diverse environments and link shared knowledge to future actions. The poster meeting will encourage dialogues based on case studies and challenges presented by member organizations, fostering a robust exchange of perspectives among participants and speakers. The consortium is committed to bridging “on-the-ground practices” with “cross-border dialogue,” nurturing a platform for collective wisdom that will spur future actions.

About the Consortium

Founded in December 2023, the Kyoto University Communication Design and DE&I Consortium is dedicated to addressing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. With the slogan “No one should be left behind,” the consortium aims to actively engage in the realization of DE&I. In a time where misconceptions and backlash against these principles still exist, the consortium believes in the importance of sustained, practical application and cross-border dialogue among varied perspectives to cultivate collective knowledge.

Using insights from “communication design,” this platform supports processes that intersect academia and practical environments, promoting collaboration in inquiry and creation.

Contact for Media Inquiries

Interested journalists can submit their requests through the media application form on the consortium's website. For further inquiries, please reach out to the Kyoto University Communication Design and DE&I Consortium (contact: Ooyama) via email at [email protected].

Additional Information

• - Photography and video recording will be permitted within the venue.
• - The poster session will provide opportunities for direct engagement with representatives from participating organizations.
• - One-on-one interviews with consortium co-representative Kawai, a specially appointed associate professor at Kyoto University, can also be arranged on the day of the event.